TREASURES FOUND IN TALL TALES by Larry Stout
TREASURES FOUND IN TALL TALES by Larry Stout, 5/11/08
I remember years ago reading a quote by William F. Buckley who commented that he could not believe he was fifty years old before he read, Moby Dick. I had the same experience at discovering the marvelous Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis at age 55. I had read the first book in the series (Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe) with my children sometime in the 1980s. But for some odd reason that I cannot fathom now, I never continued to read the rest of the books. With the advent of the new film, Prince Caspian, I thought it would be a good idea to read the book and compare it with the soon-to-be-released film. I found such an astounding blessing in reading Prince Caspian that I could not stop till I finished the seventh volume in the series, The Last Battle.
Lewis does not enjoy the following of Tolkien, but I believe this is because they are writing in two completely different genres. Tolkien wrote mythology for adults, but that which was devoid of any underlying truth. Lewis, on the other hand, sought to use these ‘crooked images’ and redeem them. Serious Christians are often uncomfortable with the pagan and extrabiblical supernaturalism (witches, magic, casting spells, mythological creatures, etc.) yet Lewis had no such reservations. He once wrote that “a person does not despise real woods because he has read of enchanted woods: the reading makes all real woods a little enchanted.” He knew that children for millennium have enjoyed fairy tales, and that it was the best medium to communicate Christian concepts to them.
At the same time, Lewis was not trying to write Pilgrim’s Progress. Those looking for Christian images in every reference will be sorely frustrated, because this was not Lewis’ intention. There are parallels to Christian theology with the evil White Witch and the Lion King, but there are also things that are simply fun stuff like talking animals, living trees and mythic fauns. Lewis knew it was the very fantastic nature of these things that would keep the reader engrossed.
It is truly a master writer who can engage children’s interest through fantasy but also good solid writing techniques such as brevity, simplicity and clarity, and at the same time, add such subtlety of meaning that the astute adult reader can find themselves thoroughly stimulated in thought. What profound implications can be found in the final battle between Caspian’s forces and those of Maraz as Aslan calls the rivers and the forests back to life. What an accurate description of Satan’s wiles is found when Prince Rilian is released from the Silver Chair, and the witch seeks to subdue him by convincing him that Narnia does not exist. And what a profound and beautiful image is Aslan singing into existence the creation of Narnia in Magician’s Nephew.
What I appreciated the most, however, was that in every book there are found everyday people who are actually royalty yet do not know it. This truth moved me so much that I actually went on eBay and bought a facsimile of King Peter the Magnificent’s sword, given to him by Father Christmas, with the image on the handle of Aslan, the Great Lion, the son of the Emperor across the Sea. I display the sword in my office to remind myself that I, too, am the son of the King. I have been born again to royal blood – the blood of the King of Kings – and it is my destiny to serve and honor Him forever. Thank you, C.S. Lewis, for helping me find my heritage in those tall tales told to children.
I remember years ago reading a quote by William F. Buckley who commented that he could not believe he was fifty years old before he read, Moby Dick. I had the same experience at discovering the marvelous Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis at age 55. I had read the first book in the series (Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe) with my children sometime in the 1980s. But for some odd reason that I cannot fathom now, I never continued to read the rest of the books. With the advent of the new film, Prince Caspian, I thought it would be a good idea to read the book and compare it with the soon-to-be-released film. I found such an astounding blessing in reading Prince Caspian that I could not stop till I finished the seventh volume in the series, The Last Battle.
Lewis does not enjoy the following of Tolkien, but I believe this is because they are writing in two completely different genres. Tolkien wrote mythology for adults, but that which was devoid of any underlying truth. Lewis, on the other hand, sought to use these ‘crooked images’ and redeem them. Serious Christians are often uncomfortable with the pagan and extrabiblical supernaturalism (witches, magic, casting spells, mythological creatures, etc.) yet Lewis had no such reservations. He once wrote that “a person does not despise real woods because he has read of enchanted woods: the reading makes all real woods a little enchanted.” He knew that children for millennium have enjoyed fairy tales, and that it was the best medium to communicate Christian concepts to them.
At the same time, Lewis was not trying to write Pilgrim’s Progress. Those looking for Christian images in every reference will be sorely frustrated, because this was not Lewis’ intention. There are parallels to Christian theology with the evil White Witch and the Lion King, but there are also things that are simply fun stuff like talking animals, living trees and mythic fauns. Lewis knew it was the very fantastic nature of these things that would keep the reader engrossed.
It is truly a master writer who can engage children’s interest through fantasy but also good solid writing techniques such as brevity, simplicity and clarity, and at the same time, add such subtlety of meaning that the astute adult reader can find themselves thoroughly stimulated in thought. What profound implications can be found in the final battle between Caspian’s forces and those of Maraz as Aslan calls the rivers and the forests back to life. What an accurate description of Satan’s wiles is found when Prince Rilian is released from the Silver Chair, and the witch seeks to subdue him by convincing him that Narnia does not exist. And what a profound and beautiful image is Aslan singing into existence the creation of Narnia in Magician’s Nephew.
What I appreciated the most, however, was that in every book there are found everyday people who are actually royalty yet do not know it. This truth moved me so much that I actually went on eBay and bought a facsimile of King Peter the Magnificent’s sword, given to him by Father Christmas, with the image on the handle of Aslan, the Great Lion, the son of the Emperor across the Sea. I display the sword in my office to remind myself that I, too, am the son of the King. I have been born again to royal blood – the blood of the King of Kings – and it is my destiny to serve and honor Him forever. Thank you, C.S. Lewis, for helping me find my heritage in those tall tales told to children.
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